Being professional

[CharlesListon]

Pick a football team and wear their shirt coming into the ring and play their theme music. Go to their games and try and get the club to introduce you before the game etc. It's a cynical ploy but worked brilliantly for Hatton/Bellew/Warrington.

He cant. No football shirts allowed by the board as it helps incite trouble in the crowd. Boys get round it by wearing club badges on shorts etc.

Personally I think it's a stupid rule bit I guess the board have to do something to try and stop the morons kicking off.

Besides which, no one supports Newi Cefn Druids or Total Network Solutions or any other West Wales team

[Mimmy]

Ive read this post with interest as its a tough game to get into if you dont get tv coverage or things in the paper or dont look like Gary Stretch.

Now, I had a thought. I was watching Dragon's Den a while ago and there was this kid who wanted to get into F3 racing. He offered the dragons a share in all his winning for an investment.

Now isnt that something worth looking at? Maybe try to do something like this but obviously not on Dragons Den.

Also isnt there websites for donations for people who are trying to better themselves for a % of the winnings??

[CharlesListon]

I know that bands have done it on Dragons Den.

Unless you're an Olympian or ABA champ at least it would be a tough sell.

[mickey1975]

Pick a football team and wear their shirt coming into the ring and play their theme music. Go to their games and try and get the club to introduce you before the game etc. It's a cynical ploy but worked brilliantly for Hatton/Bellew/Warrington.

Hatton and Warrington were hardcore supporters of their club years before they were boxers. I don't think many Everton fans follow Boomer for that reason, he's never been a big seller without the right opponent.

[crusader]

How easy is it to become a journeyman? Do you have to have good connections for that too, or can you pretty much just put yourself out there to promoters and get hired as an opponent? Can you just have a fight here and there rather than being constantly up and down the country?

[biglefthook]

DONT LEAVE THE BIBA/MBC !!!!!!!!!!!
the MBC which is now renamed the BIBA are being governed by the PBC (PRO BOXGNG COUNCIL)
And the IBF are now on board

[mickey1975]

How easy is it to become a journeyman? Do you have to have good connections for that too, or can you pretty much just put yourself out there to promoters and get hired as an opponent? Can you just have a fight here and there rather than being constantly up and down the country?

You have to be a very competent boxer for a start, and then it's best to go with a manager with links. If it's a small, regional manager, they'll probably have links to a better one, like my pal works well with Carl Greaves, he gets good work.

[REEVE]

How easy is it to become a journeyman? Do you have to have good connections for that too, or can you pretty much just put yourself out there to promoters and get hired as an opponent? Can you just have a fight here and there rather than being constantly up and down the country?

You have to be a very competent boxer for a start, and then it's best to go with a manager with links. If it's a small, regional manager, they'll probably have links to a better one, like my pal works well with Carl Greaves, he gets good work.

Carl's my manager he's a great bloke looks after his boxers, there's a few managers u can sign with Micky helliet etc.

if you want to be a journeyman tho you really need to have a manager who knows the game and will look after you, last thing u want is someone putting u in to get bashed up - you've got a long time to live after you retire!

[Alba]

DONT LEAVE THE BIBA/MBC !!!!!!!!!!!
the MBC which is now renamed the BIBA are being governed by the PBC (PRO BOXGNG COUNCIL)
And the IBF are now on board

What a load of shite.

The PBC just look like anothet board created by thr folk behind the BIBA hust like there Euro title association aswell. The IBF is the knly bit that is true, and even then all there fighters aint ranked in the full rankings

More opportunities within the BBBOC

[boxingknockout]

Don't go pro unless you're only after a few low key fights. I can't remember the last pro who wasn't signed by the big boys that made any half decent money or achieved anything significant.

[CharlesListon]

Lee Selby

[Coco]

How easy is it to become a journeyman? Do you have to have good connections for that too, or can you pretty much just put yourself out there to promoters and get hired as an opponent? Can you just have a fight here and there rather than being constantly up and down the country?

You have to be a very competent boxer for a start, and then it's best to go with a manager with links. If it's a small, regional manager, they'll probably have links to a better one, like my pal works well with Carl Greaves, he gets good work.

You won't go far wrong with Carl Greaves, he can get you good work on the road and can get you wins too depending which way you want to go.

[Cazelo]

I'm signed with Jason McClory. I know Carl is a decent manager. I'll be fighting on his show in September.

Some good points made in the thread. To the person who asked how easy it is to become a journeyman - fairly easy but you still have to be skilled. It's a lot easier to protect yourself without getting hurt when not trying to win - hats off to all journeymen though. On that note the journeyman book is well worth a read.

The board fine people who wear football shirts or badges (that's what I was told at my interview)

[dw01]

How easy is it to become a journeyman? Do you have to have good connections for that too, or can you pretty much just put yourself out there to promoters and get hired as an opponent? Can you just have a fight here and there rather than being constantly up and down the country?

You have to be a very competent boxer for a start, and then it's best to go with a manager with links. If it's a small, regional manager, they'll probably have links to a better one, like my pal works well with Carl Greaves, he gets good work.

You won't go far wrong with Carl Greaves, he can get you good work on the road and can get you wins too depending which way you want to go.

"CAN GET YOU WINS TOO..." And that ladies and gentlemen, is professional boxing for you. Makes you wonder if there's any real regulation at all in the game as far as promoters / matchmaking goes.

[Looking On]

Just to throw my pennies worth in as someone whos known carwyn a good few years from his unlicensed days.

Your not going far wrong, just got to keep doing what your doing and build a bit of a fanbase..
I remember your early unlicensed doing half a dozen tickets.. up to your mbc bouts in which you did over 60 tickets for the nottingham one.. no idea how many you did in wales when you beat matt scriven but point being is your support has grown and will continue to do so as people can see your a likeable lad with the right attitude.

Jason mcclory has enough connections to get you onto cards.. you just have to keep winning at the moment.

With yout last fight being what 18 months ago roughly.. it may work in your favour that people havent been asked to get tickets in a while or also could be opposite and be effected by that theyve not heard from you in a while..

Your a tidy boxer who is a bit of a student of the game and id say your well aware of the majority that has been said on this thread anyway.

Keep doing what you have so far... you can always revert to going on the road down the line if you feel the need to.. but right now you just need to be you..

Not many lads that can take a fight against someone 2 stone heavier just cos he called you out.. and then suffer a broken jaw in the first round and still go on to win on points... and that being against someone who themselves is a pro with no losses recorded yet.

Always things to improve but the sparring you get and with a former world champion coaching you in jawaid khaliq and fidel too im sure the future is brighter than some are painting on this.

[Counter-puncher]

Not many lads that can take a fight against someone 2 stone heavier just cos he called you out.. and then suffer a broken jaw in the first round and still go on to win on points... and that being against someone who themselves is a pro with no losses recorded yet.
.

there's an interesting story in there somewhere for those of us who don't quite know what you're on about

[Looking On]

Not many lads that can take a fight against someone 2 stone heavier just cos he called you out.. and then suffer a broken jaw in the first round and still go on to win on points... and that being against someone who themselves is a pro with no losses recorded yet.
.

there's an interesting story in there somewhere for those of us who don't quite know what you're on about

Maybe not to most.. but was an unlicensed fight (one of last ones carwyn had) where a then light heavy called him out for some reason and carwyn being carwyn felt he had to shut him up.. suffered a broken jaw and still won.. the light heavy is now 2-0 as a pro but campaigning at cruiser because struggled making the weight.. baring in mind carwyn is an 11st fighter maximum and may potentially even be able to make welter. Put him out the ring for about 6-7 months if i remember rightly and had to have jaw wired and eat through a straw.. but got the win nonetheless..

He likes a challenge.. he boxed on a uk vs hungary event several years ago and ended up having to box a hungarian pro who at the time was unbeaten in 9 and hungarian pro champion at the weight above (amd still unbeaten as a pro now).. carwyn took the fight knowing full well it was a step too far at the time but wanted to learn from it while records didnt matter in unlicensed.. and yeah he was comfortably beaten but took a lot from the fight..and im sure would fare much better if they did it again...

[Counter-puncher]

Not many lads that can take a fight against someone 2 stone heavier just cos he called you out.. and then suffer a broken jaw in the first round and still go on to win on points... and that being against someone who themselves is a pro with no losses recorded yet.
.

there's an interesting story in there somewhere for those of us who don't quite know what you're on about

Maybe not to most.. but was an unlicensed fight (one of last ones carwyn had) where a then light heavy called him out for some reason and carwyn being carwyn felt he had to shut him up.. suffered a broken jaw and still won.. the light heavy is now 2-0 as a pro but campaigning at cruiser because struggled making the weight.. baring in mind carwyn is an 11st fighter maximum and may potentially even be able to make welter. Put him out the ring for about 6-7 months if i remember rightly and had to have jaw wired and eat through a straw.. but got the win nonetheless..

[Cazelo]

Not many lads that can take a fight against someone 2 stone heavier just cos he called you out.. and then suffer a broken jaw in the first round and still go on to win on points... and that being against someone who themselves is a pro with no losses recorded yet.
.

there's an interesting story in there somewhere for those of us who don't quite know what you're on about

Maybe not to most.. but was an unlicensed fight (one of last ones carwyn had) where a then light heavy called him out for some reason and carwyn being carwyn felt he had to shut him up.. suffered a broken jaw and still won.. the light heavy is now 2-0 as a pro but campaigning at cruiser because struggled making the weight.. baring in mind carwyn is an 11st fighter maximum and may potentially even be able to make welter. Put him out the ring for about 6-7 months if i remember rightly and had to have jaw wired and eat through a straw.. but got the win nonetheless..

He likes a challenge.. he boxed on a uk vs hungary event several years ago and ended up having to box a hungarian pro who at the time was unbeaten in 9 and hungarian pro champion at the weight above (amd still unbeaten as a pro now).. carwyn took the fight knowing full well it was a step too far at the time but wanted to learn from it while records didnt matter in unlicensed.. and yeah he was comfortably beaten but took a lot from the fight..and im sure would fare much better if they did it again...

Couldn't have worded it much better myself. Both are accurate. Think I'd beat the Hungarian if I boxed him again

[CharlesListon]

Who's the cruiser?

[Counter-puncher]

there's an interesting story in there somewhere for those of us who don't quite know what you're on about

Maybe not to most.. but was an unlicensed fight (one of last ones carwyn had) where a then light heavy called him out for some reason and carwyn being carwyn felt he had to shut him up.. suffered a broken jaw and still won.. the light heavy is now 2-0 as a pro but campaigning at cruiser because struggled making the weight.. baring in mind carwyn is an 11st fighter maximum and may potentially even be able to make welter. Put him out the ring for about 6-7 months if i remember rightly and had to have jaw wired and eat through a straw.. but got the win nonetheless..

He likes a challenge.. he boxed on a uk vs hungary event several years ago and ended up having to box a hungarian pro who at the time was unbeaten in 9 and hungarian pro champion at the weight above (amd still unbeaten as a pro now).. carwyn took the fight knowing full well it was a step too far at the time but wanted to learn from it while records didnt matter in unlicensed.. and yeah he was comfortably beaten but took a lot from the fight..and im sure would fare much better if they did it again...

Couldn't have worded it much better myself. Both are accurate. Think I'd beat the Hungarian if I boxed him again

I like your attitude

[Cazelo]

http://www.longshotssports.com/news/car ... ots-sports

[olij999]

Pick a football team and wear their shirt coming into the ring and play their theme music. Go to their games and try and get the club to introduce you before the game etc. It's a cynical ploy but worked brilliantly for Hatton/Bellew/Warrington.

He cant. No football shirts allowed by the board as it helps incite trouble in the crowd. Boys get round it by wearing club badges on shorts etc.

Personally I think it's a stupid rule bit I guess the board have to do something to try and stop the morons kicking off.

Besides which, no one supports Newi Cefn Druids or Total Network Solutions or any other West Wales team

Small point on this - you can't even have the badges on shorts. If Board inspectors spot them, you'll have to cover them up with tape, or wear different shorts. No "football regalia" is allowed ("regalia" is the term in the rules, although it is not exactly commonplace unless you're into heraldry or coronations). Doesn't give us any pleasure to have to deal with such points in the hours before a contest, so it's just easier for all concerned if fighters avoid it in the first place.

Some good advice on this thread (and a lot of it is similar to what was covered when you came for your licence). If you do have any queries, you can always email the area secretary (email address on the board website) or ask the area rep at any show - we're always happy to answer things. And hope you enjoy your Board debut on 24 September.

[assassin]

Pick a football team and wear their shirt coming into the ring and play their theme music. Go to their games and try and get the club to introduce you before the game etc. It's a cynical ploy but worked brilliantly for Hatton/Bellew/Warrington.

He cant. No football shirts allowed by the board as it helps incite trouble in the crowd. Boys get round it by wearing club badges on shorts etc.

Personally I think it's a stupid rule bit I guess the board have to do something to try and stop the morons kicking off.

Besides which, no one supports Newi Cefn Druids or Total Network Solutions or any other West Wales team

Small point on this - you can't even have the badges on shorts. If Board inspectors spot them, you'll have to cover them up with tape, or wear different shorts. No "football regalia" is allowed ("regalia" is the term in the rules, although it is not exactly commonplace unless you're into heraldry or coronations). Doesn't give us any pleasure to have to deal with such points in the hours before a contest, so it's just easier for all concerned if fighters avoid it in the first place.

Some good advice on this thread (and a lot of it is similar to what was covered when you came for your licence). If you do have any queries, you can always email the area secretary (email address on the board website) or ask the area rep at any show - we're always happy to answer things. And hope you enjoy your Board debut on 24 September.

Good advice, but as a representative of the board don't you think it's quite sad that the lad is being told that the game is essentially one big racket, particularly at the grass roots of the professional game?

You can't make decent money unless you're willing to be overmatched on the road against better quality fighters, often on short notice.
You can't build or develop your skills in learning fights unless you're willing to pay the promoter to bring in someone to lose to you.
The promoters don't actually 'promote' you or the shows - it's your job to flog your own tickets, and if you don't you'll effectively be fighting for free.
You'll never get an opportunity to fight on a decent show or work your way up rankings, regardless of talent, because of the above factors.

My mates cannot believe what i'm telling them when i explain what they're actually watching when they go to local pro shows - 40-36 fight after fight, opponents with no chance or will to win, young fighters with loads of enthusiasm+talent who will never have a chance to fulfil their potential because of boxing 'politics', meanwhile the 'safety obsessed' BBBOC sit ringside staring at out of shape Latvians being used as human punchbags week after week, and everyone claps as the home fighter wins another really fair, legitimate sporting contest

The 'business' of boxing is pretty appalling really.

[Sklar]

Good post.

It's the best sport in the world when done right e.g. Joshua vs Klitschko or GGG vs Alvarez, but the British small hall scene is, for the most part, one big sham IMO. In some respects it doesn't matter if the public are happy when their man wins but to call it a sport at that level is a stretch.